Always a pleasure to hear about new marinas that welcome the cruising public, particularly one with ALL the amenities that Captain Bob describes below. I'll check this one out most carefully for the next edition of "Cruising Guide to the Northern Gulf Coast!"

There is a new Marina called "The Wharf, Alabama" http://www.thewharfal.com . Which us right by the Foley Expressway (about 3 1/2 miles beyond LuLu's Home Port which is at Hwy 59, also from Foley). This new Marina is right on the ICW, and is 210 slips. The land facilities are still under construction, but they boggle the mind. There is currently a Rave Theater complex, a 10,000 seat amphitheater, which will bring in world class concerts and entertainment. There will be a large retail center (many of the buildings are completed) with a 5 story perment Farris Wheel, and amusement park, at least half a dozen restruants, over 700 condo's, an Inn–and who knows what else. We stopped there today for fuel–Diesel was $2.95 and 87 Octane gas was $3.35 a gallon. The Dock master was very pleasant and we dicussed slip rentals: The transcient [rate] will be $2.00 a foot and long term $15 a foot a month. There are introductary specials, currently when there is a concert, a $25.00 charge for mooring and the show (and the implication was for the night??You might want to double check) We were invited to tie up as long as we wanted to explore the complex or have a meal-but declined. We may run down there in one of our boats and make a day of it, as it is near completion.
I realize that many of us like anchoring, but this does give an alternative fuel stop, up scale marina (with pumpout which works) and some real treats as the resort complex developes….So add this to your dock/marina list in the Orange Beach AL, Perdido Key, Pensacola Fl. area possiable stops.
Bob Austin

Always a pleasure to hear about new marinas that welcome the cruising public, particularly one with ALL the amenities that Captain Bob describes below. I'll check this one out most carefully for the next edition of "Cruising Guide to the Northern Gulf Coast!"

There is a new Marina called "The Wharf, Alabama" http://www.thewharfal.com . Which us right by the Foley Expressway (about 3 1/2 miles beyond LuLu's Home Port which is at Hwy 59, also from Foley). This new Marina is right on the ICW, and is 210 slips. The land facilities are still under construction, but they boggle the mind. There is currently a Rave Theater complex, a 10,000 seat amphitheater, which will bring in world class concerts and entertainment. There will be a large retail center (many of the buildings are completed) with a 5 story perment Farris Wheel, and amusement park, at least half a dozen restruants, over 700 condo's, an Inn–and who knows what else. We stopped there today for fuel–Diesel was $2.95 and 87 Octane gas was $3.35 a gallon. The Dock master was very pleasant and we dicussed slip rentals: The transcient [rate] will be $2.00 a foot and long term $15 a foot a month. There are introductary specials, currently when there is a concert, a $25.00 charge for mooring and the show (and the implication was for the night??You might want to double check) We were invited to tie up as long as we wanted to explore the complex or have a meal-but declined. We may run down there in one of our boats and make a day of it, as it is near completion.
I realize that many of us like anchoring, but this does give an alternative fuel stop, up scale marina (with pumpout which works) and some real treats as the resort complex developes….So add this to your dock/marina list in the Orange Beach AL, Perdido Key, Pensacola Fl. area possiable stops.
Bob Austin